Need stategy for 1 day @MGM/Epcot

[mrspaha]

Could some dis expert(s) help me with this. We have only one day -- Saturday, Aug 7 -- to do Disney. We're going to stick with just MGM and Epcot. We for sure want to do TOT and RockNRoll coaster at MGM, and Test Track and MS and the Norway ride at Epcot. We want to see Fantasmic at MGM.

Since MGM has early entry on Saturday, is it possible to get there right at opening (8:00, I think) do TOT and rocknroll, then rush to Epcot before the lines get outrageous for Test Track and the others? Then, go back to MGM in the evening, ride what we can, and then stay for the late Fantasmic.

I've gotten the impression that Test Track is the ride that really gets the long lines, and I thought I read that sometimes they even run out of fast passes. Is this true?

We're staying Friday and Sat night at the Swan, so we're close to both. What is the fastest way to get from MGM to Epcot if we do decide to do early entry, then rush to Epcot?

Or, do you think we should forget about early entry at MGM -- just get to Epcot at opening -- do test track first, then the other two -- maybe use Fast Pass for any of these that we want to do a 2nd time --I'm not really sure how to best utilize Fast Pass....). Then go to MGM sometime in the afternoon and hope the lines aren't too long and/or that we can use fast pass for the rides we want.

Also, what time do we have to get in line for Fantasmic? I thought we would go to the 10:30 show, because I read here somewhere that that one was the least crowded, plus that would give us more time to do other things before the show.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mrspaha]

Anyone have any ideas on this? Please?

 

[psupple]

Hi,

I would go to MGM for the early entry, pick up a fastpass for either ToT or RnR, ride both, then take a Friendship Boat to Epcot. Do the same there, grab a FP for MS or TT, ride both and finish what you want to do at Epcot (don't forget your other FP's while you're there). Then you can take the boat back, or even walk back, to MGM for the evening. Since you are staying at the Dolphin (or was it the Swan?), you could always take a break in between for a swim or a nap.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[mrspaha]

Thanks... Does anyone know -- is it true that they sometimes run out of fastpasses for Test Track? What times are the lines longest at Epcot?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

They absolutely run out of Fast Passes for Test Track....probably on most days. I have read they run out sometimes by early to mid afternoon.
The earlier suggestion to get to the Studios for the extra hour was a good one. You should be able to ride TOT and RnR easily and get to Epcot before the opening. If you are only interested in TOT get a FP then get on the regular line. After your first ride your FP window should be open and you can ride again.
The lines for Test Track start right at park opening and never stops. When you get there do like TOT and grab a FP, get on line, then ride again with your FP.

 

[swilphil]

I would also do EE at MGM and ride ToT and RnR. It's faster to walk to Epcot instead of taking the boat, which will stop at the Swan, BC and Boardwalk. Especially around 9 a.m., there will be lots of people boarding. The boat will take 1/2 hour. If you walk, you might want to stop at the Boardwalk for some coffee and a pastry from the bakery.

We were able to get a Fastpass for test track last week at about 9:15 that let us get on at 10:15. I don't think the fast pass waits are as bad now as they were before Mission Space opened.

If there's more you want to do at MGM, I would stay there for a little longer before heading over to Test Track. MGM will get very crowded in the afternoon. I don't think you will have to get in line too early for the late Fantasmic, unless it's very important to you to sit close.

Enjoy your time at MGM and Epcot. Take some time to do World Showcase. There's lots of good food and shows there.

We stayed at the Swan also. Make sure you can buy a 1 day length of stay park pass. I thought the minimum was two days. We bought a 1 day park pass there, but it only let us get into one park. You can call the Swan and ask. They are very nice there.

 

[tar heel]

We've done the reverse of what you are doing several times -- that is going to early entry at Epcot then heading to MGM. This was pre MS and we did Test Track twice before heading off. I would definitely be at MGM by 7:45 a.m. and head straight to ToT and RnR. You should be able to ride both and still get to Epcot fairly early. When you get to Epcot, I would get a fast pass for one of the rides and wait in line for the other. You'll have plenty of time.

 

[zcomic]

I like the idea of EE at MGM. What we do is have the family head to RnR while I get FP for TOT (which is next door) then meet them in line. You should be able to do both within 30-45 min. Those two attractions also run out of FP's. If those are you two main interests then heading over to EPCOT is a good idea. Getting a FP for one of the EPCOT attractions and getting in line for another is probably a good idea. One tip for TT. If the line is long and you don't have a FP, get in the single rider line. You go through a special queue and you get in quicker because they use single riders to fill the cars. Very often 2 of your party will get into the same car. If you do that and have younger kids make sure an adult goes first so they can wait for them at the end of the ride.

 

[mrspaha]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. One last question about fast passes -- can you get a second fast pass for a ride in the same day -- in other words, say we get fast pass for TT; ride it, and want to do it again, can we get another fast pass?

Oh, and the reason we only have 1 day to spend is that we're using a leftover day from our park hopper passes from 7 years ago. (Hmm, that's another question -- does anyone know if they can update those passes right there at the Swan, or do we have to go to a ticket center somewhere?) We'll mainly be at Universal this time, besides a side trip to visit relatives and the beach. Plus 1 day at Blizzard Beach, which we'll just pay for the day we go there.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[swilphil]

Yes, you can get another fastpass for the same ride, as long as it's after the time printed at the bottom of the first fastpass. Usually that time is 5 minutes after the time the fastpass becomes active.

We traded in an old park hopper ticket at the Swan ticket desk because it had gotten wet. They were able to reissue a new ticket, but it took them a little bit of time because it was worn and flaking. (The younger woman working at the ticket desk seemed to be the one who knew how to work the computer system.)